Announced today, the trailer for new psychological thriller film Loop Track has today been unveiled ahead of its nationwide general release coming later in 2023. The film premiered at the Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival on 21 July at Auckland’s The Civic and will be showing across the festival.
Produced by Chillbox Creative, Loop Track is a self-funded feature film written, and directed by comedian Tom Sainsbury. The film also stars Sainsbury in the lead role, in his writing and directorial debut, along with Hayden J. Weal (Hang Time, Dead), Kate Simmonds (The Adventures of Suzy Boon, Inside) and Tawanda Manyimo (Ghost In The Shell, The Meg).
Loop Track follows a highly anxious man Ian (Tom Sainsbury) on the verge of a breakdown, as he sets off on a multi-day hike through the New Zealand wilderness to clear his head. His solitude is quickly interrupted by other hikers on the trail and Ian becomes convinced they are all in danger. What started as a simple walk in the park abruptly turns into a bloody fight for survival.
“For me, this film originated with a single image - someone on an isolated bush walk thinking they can see a being in the far distance,” says Tom. “They can’t make out exactly what they’re looking at, but the being’s presence feels malevolent...”
Conceived after Chillbox Creative and Tom Sainsbury's award winning 48Hours short film Time Travel Centre, Loop Track is independently and self-funded through short film prize funds and a crowdfunding campaign through a time of COVID-related disruptions and postponements.
“We at Chillbox have been collaborating with Tom on film projects since 2015,” says one of the producers, Jonathan Potton. “We were able to complete 25 days of principal photography on the film in late 2020, followed by two lots of pick-up shooting. The film is a passion-project - the product of the hard-work and creativity of a small but talented crew.”
This independent horror/thriller film was shot in the Tāmaki Makaurau wilderness and will be released in Aotearoa to New Zealand audiences later in 2023 before its international release.
“I am a huge movie buff, but the ones that really resonate with me, the ones that really get me pumped, are well-executed, high-concept thrillers,” says Tom. “In saying all of that, though, I definitely feel there are some laughs in here as well. But ultimately, I want it to be beloved by the ardent horror fans the world over.”
Loop Track is a Chillbox and Tom Sainsbury production produced by Tom Sainsbury, Gabriel Lunte, Milon Tesiram and Jonathan Potton. The film is independently distributed in New Zealand & Australia by Vendetta Films.
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